Co-trainer Michael Hawkes decided to take a new tack with his inconsistent galloper Himalaya Dream in the 1500 m McGrath Estate Agents Handicap at Rosehill Saturday past. He informed Rosehill stewards of the new tactics with the intent to change the fortunes of the horse that saw the entire field ahead of him in his prior two races.

The stewards apparently forgot their obligation to at all times remain tethered to their phones, neglecting to post the information on their Twitter feed.

When Himalaya Dream did not remain at the back in the McGrath, but stormed down the outside in the stretch to win, punters and steward alike were upset.

Hawkes was summoned, (via text?) to come in for some questioning.

“What’s the meaning of this then, Hawkes? Did you enter this race with the intention of winning?”

Chief Steward Marc Van Gestel copped to the oversight regarding the Twitter feed, and then tried to shift the onus to Hawkes, hinting that it was not good form for a tail-ender to win.

Himalaya Dream’s win was good for $26 at fixed odds and $38.50 on the tote, but it would be safe to assume that the money stayed in its customary safe place, the bookies’ bags.